Samantha Bailey, Owner/Coach

I started Crossfit in January of 2011. In November of 2015 I opened CrossFit Bayou Bluffs after moving to Vicksburg come from a background in dance. I started dancing at age 3 and continued through college dancing at the collegiate and competitive level. After graduating from college I had the typical gym membership, but seldom used it. In 2011 I decided to join Dustin for a CrossFit workout and haven't looked back.

Before starting Crossfit I had almost no upper body strength. A lifetime of dance doesn't really lend itself to developing those muscles. Just about the only thing I could do the first time I walked through the doors of a CrossFit gym was squat below parallel. I couldn't do a push up correctly, I certainly couldn't do a pull up and about the only weight I could pick up was the training bar. CrossFit has been one of the biggest challenges of my life. It not only pushes me physically, but mentally as well. I use to wonder when the whole CrossFit thing would get easier and I have found that it doesn't really. You become comfortable with the movements and understand what you are doing and it's at that point you decide to push your boundaries. Since starting CrossFit I have competed in several local competitions and have run a couple of half and full marathons through Crossfit endurance

Since beginning CrossFit I have become passionate about improving people's lives and showing that it is possible for anyone to take part in this sport. Coming from only a dance background I didn't begin CrossFit as an athletic person, but because of the way CrossFit is executed, everyone can do it. One great thing about CrossFit is that everything can be modified to your ability! We all need the same exercises. It's only the intensity that varies.

I love seeing my athletes accomplish their goals, make lifestyle changes, and watching them do things day in and day out they thought would never be possible.

In addition to coaching classes at CrossFit Bayou Bluffs I also offers personal programming, nutritional consults, and one on ones. I hold a Level 1 CrossFit Certificate.

Phillip Bailey, Head Coach

I started my Crossfit journey in January of 2014 and it was one of the best decisions I could have made in my life. Coming from an athletic background, I have always been looking for that next thing to push me. I grew up playing tennis and after graduating college had no consistent outlet for my athletic endeavors. Having always been in a "traditional gym" in some form or fashion I began to feel stagnant and bored.

My brother-in-law had recently joined a Crossfit box and was telling me about all his workouts, how it made him feel, and the great people he had met along the way. All of this sounded great, but what really peaked my interest was the community aspect of Crossfit. I had never worked out surrounded by people form all walks of life, just trying to be better and more fit for themselves and for their families. This idea of people coming together for a common goal of health and wellness has been the driving force for why I love my Crossfit community. Everyday I walk through those doors and see my friends and family I know that for at least an hour a day, we are in this fight together.

I have had many influences throughout my short life in Crossfit. Some of the best people and coaches around have taught me more about health, fitness, and life than I could ever imagine. One of the reasons I love coaching is because I get the opportunity to share with others all of the information that has been so graciously bestowed upon me. Tons of people out there get excited about big lift PRs, FINALLY getting double unders, or a faster Fran. And I do, don't get me wrong. But what I love most about being a coach is seeing that one member walk through that door day-in and day-out, good or bad, and just go to work. Real progress and a life-time of change days consistent hard work and that's what I love most about our members at Crossfit Bayou Bluffs.

Chris Rabalais, Coach

I started doing CrossFit in March of 2015, and have been a member of the Bayou Bluff's Family since we opened in November of 2015. I have to thank my awesome wife for getting me to try this crazy thing called CrossFit. Before I started my CrossFit journey, I had always been a relatively active person, but just needed something more.

Growing up in the south, I happily played football in the fall and baseball in the spring. In high school, however, I picked up a barbell and started to do powerlifting instead of baseball. Throughout college, I struggled to find something active that I was really passionate about. I lifted weights mainly focusing on curls, squats and bench press then I would hop on the elliptical for 30 minutes. This made for a good sweat, but just wasn't "fun". So, I signed up for a bootcamp that incorporated some CrossFit principles, and I was hooked (it was also where I got hooked on a special woman I now call my wife :) )! When I moved back home after completing school, I finally got he push to join the CrossFit box at the Y and moved to Bayou Bluffs when we opened. i couldn't be happier. Since joining CrossFit, I have competed in numerous competitions, set countless personal records (on the barbell and running believe it or not), and have become a happier, healthier person.

Bayou Bluffs is my home away from home. It's a place I, (and you too), can go to unwind and sweat after a stressful day at the office. The community at our Box, and in CrossFit in general, is awesome. I like to tell people "come for the fitness; stay for the family." It is truly inspiring to see everyone rally around each other and motivate each other every day, every workout. This community does put the "fun" in "fun"-ctional" fitness.

I have been coaching at Bayou Bluffs since November 2017 and will be getting my CF-L1 this year. My day job is a research civil engineer at the Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center.

Katie Rabalais, BootCamp/HIIT Coach

I began my CrossFit journey in September 2014. I was always athletic growing up, playing volleyball year round and softball in the summers. Once I got to college all that stopped and very quickly I realized I had gained the “freshman 15” plus some. I took up running and found some boot camps on campus that ultimately lead me to finding CrossFit. I took the 6 week intro class and fell in love. The community atmosphere mimicked the team feeling you have when playing an organized sport. The variety of movements and not knowing what you will be doing day to day keeps it from ever being boring.

My favorite part about CrossFit is competing. I’ve always been competitive and the thrill of walking out on the court or on the field was one of my favorite tI began my CrossFit journey in September 2014. I was always athletic growing up, playing volleyball year round and softball in the summers. Once I got to college all that stopped and very quickly I realized I had gained the “freshman 15” plus some. I took up running and found some boot camps on campus that ultimately lead me to finding CrossFit. I took the 6 week intro class and fell in love. The community atmosphere mimicked the team feeling you have when playing an organized sport. The variety of movements and not knowing what you will be doing day to day keeps it from ever being boring.

My favorite part about CrossFit is competing. I’ve always been competitive and the thrill of walking out on the court or on the field was one of my favorite things. CrossFit has given that back to me. Whether I’m at a competition or it’s just another day at the Box, every time I walk onto that floor I get that feeling of excitement and I’m eager to see what I can accomplish that day.

Since starting CrossFit, not only have I gotten stronger in the gym, but I have lost over 30 pounds, have found a new love of competing in local CrossFit competitions, and have realized my dream of becoming a CrossFit coach. Currently I coach the Bayou Bluffs HIIT class, or Bootcamp. Coaching this class has been one of the highlights of my life. Watching more and more new people walk through the door and begin their journey to a healthier lifestyle has been amazing. Getting to know each individual, learn their story, and be a part of them becoming a better version of themselves is why I love coaching. hings. CrossFit has given that back to me. Whether I’m at a competition or it’s just another day at the Box, every time I walk onto that floor I get that feeling of excitement and I’m eager to see what I can accomplish that day.

Jessica Solomon, Marketing Director

I started Crossfit when Bayou Bluffs came to Vicksburg in November of 2015. I have always been some type of athlete and thrive on that type of training and ‘team’ mindset. I played basketball, softball, was on the track team, active in swimming, rock-climbing, backpacking, hiking, and nearly anything else I could do. I loved being active and still do and this whole Crossfit thing works just perfectly!

Before I started Crossfit, I had a regular gym membership and was trying desperately to find ways to lose weight. I had let myself get too far out of shape and I hated it. I tried the Couch-to-5k program several times and while that satisfied my desire to work out some, it was still a struggle. I had no accountability, I hated running, but I was at a loss for what I could do.

Crossfit and Crossfit Bayou Bluffs has really turned things around for me. I am stronger in a way that I never was, even at my fittest. I am more prepared for the daily challenges that life throws my way. I am still working on so many things, working hard to achieve the goals that I have set for myself, but I know that I have found how and where I want to accomplish these things.

I just want to share this place and these people who have turned my life around with the world and that is what I plan to do.